CEBU, Philippines - Development projects in mountain barangays are seen to be effective means in combating insurgency like in the northern town of Sogod, local government officials and the military said.
In her annual report, Sogod Mayor Lissa Marie Durano said repairing the roads that lead to mountain barangays in her town did not only help the farmer residents bring down their goods to the market, but more so helped the government deliver basic services to the residents in the mountain barangays.
Military officials assigned in the town said the support and cooperation of the local government unit are helping them counter insurgency in northern Cebu.
The repair of barangay roads were implemented in cooperation with the office of Fifth Dist. Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI.
Based on Durano’s report, 18 barangays were also provided with electricity through the help of the Cebu Electric Cooperative and the provincial government.
Farmers in the uplands were also provided with livelihood projects to give them an additional source of income.
The municipal government is currently working to establish a Roll On- Roll Off port in barangay Tabunok in Sogod through the Department of Transportation and Communication.
A Roll On- Roll Off port would not only provide additional jobs to residents in the town, but would also allow farmers to transport their goods to areas across the municipality.
Sogod town is among those identified by military as having a major problem with insurgency. — Jose P. Sollano/JMO (THE FREEMAN)